ABU DHABI — Afghanistan A resumed their monumental chase against Sri Lanka A on the fourth day of the unofficial Test match in Abu Dhabi on Friday, reaching 207 for 4 at lunch, still needing 408 runs to win.
Skipper Darwish Rasooli stood firm at the crease with a defiant unbeaten 102 off 207 deliveries, anchoring the innings and keeping Afghanistan’s hopes alive. He was joined by Shams Ur Rahman, who remained not out on 5 as the teams broke for lunch.
Rasooli and Afsar Zazai built a vital partnership for the fourth wicket, adding 168 runs before Zazai was dismissed for 82 off 148 balls. The duo’s resilient stand kept Afghanistan in the game after a shaky start in their second innings, where they were chasing a daunting target of 615 set by Sri Lanka A.
Sri Lanka A had earlier declared their second innings on 376 for 4, following a first-innings total of 406. Afghanistan, in response, managed just 168 in their first innings and were 132 for 3 at stumps on Day 3.
Isitha Wijesundara and Wanuja Sahan were the key wicket-takers for Sri Lanka A in the morning session, finishing with 2 for 34 and 2 for 55 respectively.
Afghanistan A now face a monumental task in the final two sessions of Day 4, needing a further 408 runs with six wickets in hand to pull off what would be a record-breaking chase in this format.
